So, you just made a few vehicle upgrades recently. Perhaps you added in a new stereo system, or you went all out for new rims and running gear. Whatever you have decided to do, you probably invested good money in making your vehicle more your own. All of that is great, but now you’re faced with the question of whether or not you should tell your insurance provider about the upgrades. There are pros and cons to each. At Berks County Insurance, the team is on hand to help you decide what to do while living in and around Reading, PA.

Increased Value of Your Vehicle

The new upgrades to your vehicle likely increased the value of your vehicle. This means if you tell your insurance provider about the upgrades, you’ll probably pay a higher monthly premium. The difference will not be much, but you more than likely will see an increase.

Protect Your Investment

While your monthly premium may go up, so too does your protection. This way, if your rims are ever stolen, the new radio ripped out, or you’re involved in an accident, the insurance coverage will pay for these upgrades. If you don’t let your insurance provider know about the upgrades, they will not know about the improvements and, because of this, not be able to cover the upgrades. Due to this, you’ll be left paying for the upgrades all over again.

After upgrading your vehicle, while living around Reading, PA, you will be faced with the decision of letting your insurance provider know. At Berks County Insurance, a team member is standing by to help you with all of your automotive insurance questions and concerns, including whether you should update your auto insurance information.

Most people, when they purchase a car, don’t think of the tires. They drive away with the tires that were left on the car and thought nothing more of it. When it comes time to replace them, most people replace them with a conventional set of tires. Many aspects of a car can affect the rate on a driver’s car insurance in Berks County. This includes the vehicle’s tires.

Types of Tires

Oversized tires are viewed by many as an unnecessary risk. They change how the vehicle is driven and it alters the odometer reading and speedometer reading. Going a faster speed than you realize can, in turn, lead to an accident. Although oversized tires are looked down upon by many, they’re still a fashionable car modification.

Another type of tire modification that has come into favor is low-profile tires, commonly called "low-pros." They look sleek and flashy because you have more wheel and less tire. The shiny chrome sparkles and glints in the sun. Unlike the dull rubber of a tire. Also, by having bigger wheels, it is easier for people to see the brakes which some paint or color to appease an aesthetic. Smaller tires do create problems for those who travel on rougher roads. Small bumps and potholes can cause your rims to bend if hit too hard.

Most insurance companies don’t charge more for vehicles with oversized tires. Remember insurance companies look at a variety of factors when deciding a driver’s rates. Berks County Insurance can work with you to help determine what might be beneficial to your policy and to your vehicle.

What is most important for your own safety, no matter what kind of tires you have, make sure that your tires are properly configured for your vehicle. If the tires do not fit the vehicle or are in poor condition, this could cause an accident. It’s well known that safer vehicles get lower rates on car insurance.

Before you modify your vehicle’s tires, contact Berks County Insurance serving all of Berks County, to see how performance tires might modify your auto insurance policy.